The rivalry among Ford and Chevy owners is a futile one that spans generations. It is this same blood thirst among the brands that exists among gearheads when it comes to tools. And the plot only thickens when you rocket through the ranks of professional mechanics.

GRIPPING ZERO DEGREES

From applying massive amounts of torque to the applying the smallest, the grip makes for the most comfortable ratchet we've ever used. It doesn't pain the hands to wrench bolts down tight. The dual durometer mold of the Mac Tools Zero Degree Ratchet's grip is designed for rigorous daily use. After a day at the job or under the Jeep (as shown above), it cleans right up.

Although I have my roots planted in the Jeep and Ford camps, when it comes to tools, I am generally careless when it comes to what name brand it wears. The tool need only adhere to the following criteria: It's got to be made right here in the USA. It's got to be superior in its functionality and durability. And, it's got to be affordable.

When I first got word of the Mac Tools Zero Degree Ratchet, to me, it was just another ratchet. At the time, I was wrenching on the Cherokee. Growing tired of rebuiding the war-torn motor, another ratchet was the last thing I wanted to see, as I was busy squeezing ratchets into the tight confines of the Cherokee's crevices.

That was until the deed was done a friend of mine brought up the subject. "Hey, what's the story with that Zero Degree Ratchet? We sure could have used it when swapping that motor in your Cherokee. Those bolts behind the bell housing were ruthless on the old knuckles."

"You've got that right," I responded. "Those bell housing bolts were ball breakers. And what made it worse was that those ratchets we were using were weak. Heck, it took us twenty turns on the ratchet just to get one revolution on that bolt. Those ratchets just couldn't get a grip to save their lives. There was just too much play," I concluded.

Ballpark Figure

After all the blood, sweat and tears we endured with the engine swap, I figured the Mac Tools Zero Degree Ratchet was worth a try. At $79.99, the price was within the ballpark of ratchet solutions, particularly if it worked.

This Ratchet Isn't Leaving My Shop!

Pete De La Rosa of De La Rosa's Auto Repair in Fillmore, California, is a busy man. His work is in high demand. When I first walked in with the Mac Tools Zero Degree Ratchet, being a Snap On man, he didn't want any part of it. Well, that was until he used it for more than a month. "You're not getting this ratchet back!" he shouted, as I approached for the return of my prized possession. "This ratchet is the best I've ever used, and it isn't leaving my shop!"

Ripping the ratchet from the package. I held it in my hand like a newborn. The appearance of the duplex nickle chrome plating looks like a million bucks. But looks aren't worth a dime if they don't function under the pressures of gearheads and professional mechanics alike.

It didn't just meet our expectations. The grip of the Zero Degree Ratchet surpassed our them in both feel and function. The injection molded handle forms comfortably to the contour of your hand. In action, the grip of the ergonomically designed handle has an enduringly natural feel. The dual durometer mold provides the user with an excellent grasp, even in the hot and humid weather we've been having here in coastal region of Southern California.

In its brief use on the trail, silt has no effect on the Zero Degree Ratchet's seeled bearing mechanism. And niether did a brief summer shower we encountered later in our trailside wrenching adventure.

No Degree Of Shame In Its Name

When I first held the Mac Tools Zero Degree Ratchet in my hand, I went straight for the ratcheting mechanism like Mike Tyson for the throat of an enemy. It's first round of duties was to remove the front bumper and steering box on CJ.

There are two bolts that I've always had a tough time getting at. The throw is so short that a box end wrench takes forever to do its job, since I had to remove and reapply the wrench for each small bite at the bolts. The assortment of ratchets I have in stock have enough play in their ratcheting motion for them to be very effective. Unfortunately, until now, I've had to rely on the "zero degree" reliability and directly applied torque of the box end wrench to remove these bolts.

SEALED FOR WEATHERED SERVICE

We put the Zero Degree Ratchet to use on the trail. The task wasn't too daunting, but it is noteworthy, as we were using it in silt. At the tail end of our adventure, the summer rain poured in for a few minutes to moisten things up. In a semi-muddy state, I rinsed and wiped it clean and went back to work. The gearless ratchet performed flawlessly. Application of torque was direct and utterly positive. Getting a grip on a bolt in those tight spots, the Zero Degree doen't play around. Because this ratchet is gearless, there is absolutely no slip. We're anxious to look inside at the how Mac Tools makes this wizardry work.

With the Mac Tools Zero Degree Ratchet on the job, like the box end wrench, there is zero play whatsoever. There is always positive torque supplied to the wrench. Removing bolts such as these were done with ease. With such a small throw in this situation, the performed better than any ratchet I've used, performed exactly the same as the directly applied torque of a box end wrench and got the job done in no time. The functionality of the Zero Degree Ratchet is a dream.

And for strength, I took the 1/4" drive Zero Degree Ratchet directly to a job that generally requires a 3/8" drive. Because the front bumper is also used as a tow bar and recovery attachment point, I use large grade 8 hardware. With the 3/8" drive, I wrench it down extremely tight, which means I needed some additional leverage when using the 1/4" drive. I used a steel pipe that I applied to the Mac Tools Zero Degree 1/4" drive.

With extreme amounts of torque applied to the Zero Degree ratchet, I powered through each turn of the Zero Degree Ratchet. Even with an extension and extreme torque, the ratchet held true to its name. Just by the end of this operation, I was sold on the Zero Degree Ratchet's performance.

Professionally Proven

When it comes to the great debate among Ford versus Chevy, my friend and mechanic, Pete De La Rosa of De La Rosas Auto Repair, stands steedfast on the proven performance and reliability of the Blue Oval name brand. For tools, his fervor is much the same. He's a Snap On man.

SUGGESTION

There is no other ratchet that compares to the Zero Degree Ratchet. It's effectiveness as a "no slip," "no play," or "zero degree" ratchet cannot be beat. One thing that Pete pointed out, though, was the fact that it was difficult to change the direction of the torque using your thumb. Perfection is not far off for the Zero Degree Ratchet.

So, after the average heavy day's work, I strolled into his shop with the Mac Tools Zero Degree Ratchet. I may as well been carrying Kryponite to Super Man, because he didn't want any part of Mac Tools in his shop.

After about an hour's time, I finally convinced him to inspect the thing. He grimmiced at it. Looked up. Then, before he could say a word, I told him to give it a try.

His first words: "You're not getting this ratchet back!" he shouted, as I approached for the return of my prized possession. "This ratchet is the best I've ever used, and it isn't leaving my shop!"

He went on to explain the benefits of its features. His praise never strayed far from the ratchet's Zero Degree Gearless Design. "I love it. It worked perfect. There is no play in it whatsoever."

Mac Tools

www.mactools.com

Introducing the Mac Tools Zero Degree Ratchet

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/reviews/mactools_zerodegreeratchet/

MAC TOOLS ZERO DEGREE RATCHET AT WORK

www.JeepWeb.comOutdoor